'Kitten season' descends on local shelters

By Mary Esparra

Thursday

May 4, 2017 at 2:01 AM

Within 11 days in March, Matt’s Cats: MDW Feline Rescue took in three stray mother cats and their kittens from different parts of Newburgh. Then, just before deadline for this column, another rescue of a mother cat and her kittens.

An anonymous call brought the rescue’s founder, Margaret Weber, to City Terrace behind Broadway on March 14. Bella, a 1-year-old brown tabby and white cat, was with her four newborn kittens, their eyes still closed.

“A snowstorm was coming the next day,” said Weber, “so we went right away.”

That same day, Weber got another call that there was a pregnant feline behind a gas station on Mill Street in Newburgh. Miss Millie, a 2-year-old petite light tabby cat, was a friendly stray. She gave birth to four kittens at the rescue a few days later. Sadie, Sarah, Jessie and James are all doing well.

March 25 brought another rescue, 2-year-old tiger cat Sally and her four kittens. They were in a basement in an abandoned building on Third Street.

All the mother cats are friendly and socialized, not feral. They all get along with each other, currently in foster homes.

“You can pick them up and they’re not mean to humans in any way,” said Weber. “And they’re all OK with kids.”

All are healthy, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and ready for homes of their own.

“I hope somebody gives the mommies a chance,” said Weber, “it’s hard to adopt out the adults.”

Then last week, Weber was called to a duplex in Middletown. A mother cat and her four 3- to 4-week-old kittens were found underneath a porch. Their owners moved without them, leaving them without food or water.

Kitten season started early this year, and the calls don’t stop.

“I’ll help you, but I can’t take them all in,” said Weber. “There’s only a few people that do this. It’s so sad. I keep saying I’m quitting, but I won’t turn my back on them.”

That’s a burden of four moms and 16 kittens on just this small rescue. Spay and neuter your felines, folks. It’s the only way to help reduce our feline population.